Yan Pei Ting Yovin, 14

School: Regent School (Secondary)

Topic: An email to a close friend who received a heart transplant on how to honour the deceased donor and his family.

Gratitude to the Deceased Donor and His Family
Dear Ava,

I hope you are feeling a lot better since my last visit! It was good seeing you bright, awake, and smiling so brightly right after your surgery. Seeing you standing up tall without those heavy machines and tubes weighing you down was such a breathtaking sight that made me realise the beauty behind an organ transplant.

As your best friend, I can’t describe how grateful I am to see you now, with a new heart beating in your chest. You are now able to do things you have always wanted to do, always wanted to try, and always wanted to explore. Life from now on will be much better than what you experienced in the past, and all your struggles will slowly disappear. I am glad to know you have a second chance in life for us to continue making memories we only dreamed about together!

I have been thinking about your plan to honour your donor and his family, and I have come up with an idea! So, I was thinking, since we are in a band, I feel that we should make a song to share your journey of receiving your new heart. Although we know nothing about your donor and his family, we can make this song to also advocate to others about heart conditions and donors. I feel like it’s an extra interesting way to honour your donor and spread awareness too!

Well, if you like the idea… I can help you ask Jake and Daniel about when they are available for us to meet up at your house or anywhere that is convenient for you! I have actually asked them whether they wanted to do this with us, and they happily agreed! Jake said that he could start on the drum beat while Daniel would work on the rhythm with his guitar. Daniel also came up with the idea of recording your heartbeat and placing it in the song. It would make this song extra special, more meaningful, and one of a kind! So, once you get better, you can pick up that bass again and we can work together to make a wonderful song to honour your donor, share your journey, and make a song to remember every milestone and every up and down you went through!

I think right now you should take your time deciding about what ideas suit you best and, most importantly, remember to have a good rest and recover! You are the bravest, kindest, and an unwaveringly strong fighter! I am so proud of you and how far you have come! I will drop by to visit you soon!

Best Friends Forever,
Yovin

Disclaimer: Please note that the views and opinions expressed in the essays for the Live On Festival 2026 are those of the participants and are not endorsed by the National Organ Transplant Unit (Ministry of Health).

To learn more about organ donation and organ transplantation in Singapore, please visit www.liveon.gov.sg ↗ (opens in new tab)